Did You Know? These Common English Words Actually Originated From Hindi

English is not only the most popular vernacular in the world today but also the most impactful. It has affected various other tongues and cultures. Although there are plenty of different versions of the language, its basics remain the same everywhere. Due to its popularity, English letters have made their way into many vernaculars. Even the most unexpected tongues have some words of English origin in their vocabulary.

English is a language which is continuously evolving and adapting to new things. Every year, several words are added to the English dictionary. Throughout a long British colonial history in India, the English language was enriched by its interaction with Hindi. Take a look at this act of ¡®borrowing¡¯ which enriched English with many new words, courtesy of Hindi and India.

1. Jungle

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The English word ¡®jungle¡¯ is borrowed from the Hindi word ¡®jangal¡¯ and is generally used to describe a dense tropical forest.

2. Bandana

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English borrowed the word bandana from two Hindi words - 'Badhnu', which describes the process of tie-and-due through which large handkerchiefs with vibrant, distinctive designs were made and 'Bandhana' meaning to tie something up.

3. Dinghy

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The English word dinghy was derived from the Hindi word dingi or dingiya which was used for small rowing boats that travelled through the sheltered waters of Indian rivers and along the Indian coasts to fish and transport passengers and freight in the olden days.

4. Chit

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This English word that is said to have been borrowed from Hindi and is used is ¡®chit¡¯, which means a short note on a piece of paper. It is said to have been borrowed from the word ¡®chitthi¡¯, which loosely translates to letter.

5. Pyjama

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The English word ¡®pyjama¡¯ is derived from the Hindi words ¡®pajama¡¯ or ¡®payjama¡¯, which is a loosely fitting, comfortable trouser that is often worn as nightwear.

6. Juggernaut

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The word juggernaut comes from the Hindi 'Jagannath' meaning 'lord of the world'. The word is further derived from the Sanskrit 'jagati' meaning 'he goes' and 'natha' meaning 'master'.

7. Cashmere

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The term 'cashmere' arrived in the 16th Century and was used to describe the shawls spun by Kashmiri craftsmen on the Silk Route bound for India. In the late 18th century, cashmere shawls were being exported to the West, particularly to Britain and France.

The word cashmere is an old spelling of Kashmir as pronounced in Hindi, the state where these shaggy goats were once found in abundance.

8. Thug

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The English word thug traces its roots to Hindi, which means 'swindler' or 'deceiver'. This word entered the English language early in the 19th century.

9. Chutney

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A Hindi word denoting a pickled condiment made from fruit, vinegar, spices and sugar. It entered the English language in the 19th century when the British started exporting their favourite chutneys to their colonies in Australia and North America.

10. Bangles

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Derived from the Hindi word 'Bangri' which originally meant the coloured glass ring ornaments worn on the wrist by Indian women, the word was introduced in English in the late 18th century.

11. Shampoo

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This word actually originates from Hindi. The word is an imperative of the verb ¡®campna¡® and means ¡®to knead or press¡¯. In Britain, the term and concept were introduced by a Bengali trader, Sake Dean Mohamed, who, along with his wife, opened a shampooing bath in Brighton in 1814. Interestingly, he was honoured by the post of ¡®shampooing surgeon¡¯ to George IV and William IV.

12. Punch

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The word punch is a loanword from Sanskrit meaning ¡°five.¡± The drink was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. September 20th is National Rum Punch Day. The term punch was first recorded in British documents in 1632.

13. Cot

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A cot word came from Hindi which means a small bed with high barred sides for a baby or very young child.

14. Loot

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The English word ¡®loot¡¯ has been borrowed from the Hindi word ¡®lut¡¯, which means to loot or to plunder, and did not feature in the common use of English until after the entry of the British into India.

15. Bungalow

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In 17th century Bengal to describe the single-storey homes built for early British settlers, the English term bungalow originally derives from the Hindi word ¡®bangla¡¯ which meant houses constructed in the style of Bengal.

16. Ganja

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Ganja comes from Hindi. It refers to a highly potent form of cannabis ¨C the common strain Cannabis Sativa.

17. Shawl

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A shawl is an Indian simple item of clothing, loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms, and sometimes also over the head.

18. Mahout

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Mahout is a Hindi word which means a person who works with and rides an elephant.

19. Verandah

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The word came into English through the Hindi varand¨¡. Veranda most often refers to a long porch that extends along more than one outside wall of a house and is used for outdoor activities.